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About Mount Mercy

A Catholic University in the Mercy Charism

As outlined in Mount Mercy's strategic plan and approved by the Board of Trustees, Mount Mercy's vision statement has supported the growth and expansion of the University through natural and progressive enhancements. The transition to university status was a result of clear intentions over several years to evolve to a point of re-designation, and fits the institution's vision of continued growth and expansion.

We are an institution that offers diverse academic opportunities for traditional, transfer, accelerated and graduate students. We have established partnerships with other institutions in the United States and abroad and expanded international opportunities. We continue to be a practical, teaching-focused institution, carrying on the tradition and values established by our founders, the Sisters of Mercy. The following characteristics and examples of growth illustrate our identity as a 21st century Catholic university.

Our Distinct Mercy Mission and Identity

We are a person-centered, practical institution with a faith-inspired curriculum that blends liberal arts with professional career preparation

Our academic core curriculum, The Mercy Experience, is rooted in the Catholic Mercy tradition of outreach and service to the community and those in need

Our commitment to vibrant co-curricular programs that focus on service and Mercy enhances student engagement

Faculty Reputation and Excellence

We've increased the percentage of faculty with terminal degrees (58.75%)

Regional, national and international recognition for faculty who exhibit work, present at conferences, publish material, and work with students on scholarship and research opportunities

Leveraging Community Partnerships

Our partnerships with Kirkwood and Hawkeye Community Colleges, with locations across Eastern Iowa offer more students opportunity to accomplish their goals

Our articulation agreement with Kirkwood Community College in the 1960s established one of the first public-private educational partnerships in Iowa

Partnership with Hawkeye Community College established in 2008, lead to offering classes in Waterloo/Cedar Fall

Strategic Expansion of International Collaborations

We're educating students to be active thinkers and participants in a global marketplace, equipped with the skills to compete and succeed amongst today's international economic, social and geo-political realities

Our partnerships with Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic, established in 1989, has grown with an international student and faculty exchange program established in 1991

In 2007, we established an agreement for both short- and long-term international exchanges for students and faculty with Cantebury Christ Church University in England

Collaboration initiated with the Consortium Institute of Management and Business (CIMBA) in Paderno, Italy, in 2009

Leader in Mercy Higher Education

Mount Mercy engages as an equal partner with other Mercy universities within the Conference of Mercy Higher Education, the second largest group of Catholic institutions in the nation

Our leadership has an active role in leading conversations about branding and the status of Mercy institutions nationally

We've underscored the importance of Mercy identity by appointing an Executive Director for Mercy Mission and Identity

Graduate Degrees for Professional Leaders

Our Graduate programs in business, education, marriage and family therapy, and nursing contribute to the professional development and leadership of Eastern Iowa

Mount Mercy has an economic impact annually of more than $75 million in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City area

We have an outstanding record of student success and placement; 91 percent of graduating students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation